Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Emirati artist and designer Azza Al Qubaisi is known for her peculiar contributions to jewellery design, product design, and sculpture which are deeply rooted in culture, identity, traditions, and environmental aspects.
With a Bachelor of Arts in Jewellery Design and Allied Crafts from London Guildhall University and a Master of Arts in Cultural and Creative Industries from the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research & Training (CERT) at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), Al Qubaisi has presented her works at several exhibitions both at home and abroad.
In an interview with Aletihad on the occasion of Emirati Women's Day, Al Qubaisi said that she is passionate about materials, and has been collecting and experimenting with them since childhood.
"Through my research and practice, I have crafted what I consider to be Emirati design, evolving over the years," she said.
In the past decade, she has been working with palm and local materials, incorporating industrial materials like stainless steel and mild steel.
Recently, she has used rocks and other non-precious materials to tell stories.
Sustainability functions as a vital component in her work, as she ensures that scraps are recycled and reused within the industry.
For Al Qubaisi, being a pioneer in the field comes with responsibilities.
"It means a great deal to be the first and to pave the way, but it has also been a significant burden because I felt the need to do more for the next generation."
"I established the EBDA'A Award for jewellery designers, which has been around for over a decade now. Having that title is a great honour, but it also comes with the responsibility to create change for those who follow. It was not easy to establish myself locally within an industry primarily focused on design and export. It took a decade of education, media coverage, and shifting perceptions to have jewellery recognised as an art form."
Al Qubaisi views her work as a nurturing project and collaborates with organisations on community projects and initiatives for people of determination.
Currently, she works with the Leila Heller Gallery in Dubai.
Her recent collections, such as "Eternity" and "Life", centre on personal emotions, identity, and tradition.
They particularly focus on the hardships of pearl divers and sustainability, using mangroves as a central metaphor.
"Each year, I choose a new title or theme to guide my creations. Between last year and this year, my focus has evolved from metaphors to dunes, and now to mangroves. The mangroves have particularly captured my attention over the past two years, in 2023 and 2024. I am sure something new will emerge for 2025."
Moreover, over two decades, her work has evolved, incorporating elements like falcons, Al Houbara bird, Al Ghaf tree, and palm trees.
Her notable projects include Abaya (Dunes with Dates) sculpture, which has been showcased in many exhibitions, and even featuring at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi.
Additionally a swing she designed on Al Noor Island in Sharjah, has attracted the interest of many visitors.
On the outlook for Emirati jewellery design, Al Qubaisi expressed optimism.
"In my opinion, the future of Emirati jewellery design is very promising. It will continue to grow and become increasingly unique year after year. While there will always be business-oriented replicators, the Emirati jewellery industry has seen dramatic growth over the past decade and will keep evolving."
Al Qubaisi also had a word for emerging young designers.
"Start by doing thorough research and strive to be different – do not just replicate what others are doing. Survival in this field comes from being unique and offering something that tells a story about our nation. While we share common inspirations, such as culture and nature, each artist and designer bring their own distinct perspective."
